Chapter 2
The seasons changed, spring into summer, summer into autumn, autumn into winter. The seasons flew by, the twins studying, learning, and growing. They remained together, always together. What one learned, the other had to as well. They had small contests with each other, striving to see who was the best a particular skill.
Miki quickly learned that he was adept at infiltration and espionage. He could disguise himself as anyone or anything, with no one the wiser, not even his brother. It came in handy, as he would slip into the kitchen and procure some tasty morsels for himself and his brother. He kept his promise, always looking out for his twin. Never letting any harm come to him. He remembered his failure from before. He would not let it happen again.
Akira was another matter. He did badly in infiltration, he hated disguise. He enjoyed coming upon his enemies in battle, using various weapons at his disposal. He was growing into a master assassin, his skill will bow, sword, dagger, dart, increasing with age. Zaou knew that in time, the boy would have no equal. He would be a truly dangerous adversary, if confronted.
But the boy had a rashness about him. Zaou tried to train it out of him, but he feared he failed in that regard. Akira was always too eager for bloodshed. He would dive into a fray, never taking the time to assess the situation, to plan. He always came out on top, but Zaou feared that one day the boy would meet his match and not come out of that battle alive.
On the twins twelfth birthday, Zaou gave each a parting gift. He had taught them all he knew. They were ready to join the Emperor's rank of assassins. Zaou grinned, handing Akira a long dagger. It was encrusted with jewels, the handle that of a dragon.
Akira bowed, his head, his eyes bright with happiness. His hands ran over the fine details of the dagger, his fingertips tracing over the curves of the dragon handle. It resembled the statue of Seiryuu in the palace shrine. He went there, sometimes, to pray to Seiryuu. He knew Seiryuu would answer his prayers one day. One day, he would meet an opponent in battlesomeone who would take his pain away.
Pulling out a wrapped box, Zaou handed it to Miki. The eldest twin blinked, staring at his master. He unwrapped the box, pulling from it a long chain. At the end of the chain was a charm. It glistened in the light, sparkling.
The chain was silver, the links small and fine. The charm at the end was about the size of Miki's fist. There was a jewel in the centre, with four points. On each point, a carved relief of each of the four gods rested. Miki traced his fingers over the beautiful piece of jewellery.
Zaou smiled, kneeling between the boys. "I give you these gifts, not just because you are ready, but because they belong to you by right. These belonged to your mother."
"Ourmother?" Akira whispered, awed that their mother, who had died when they were babies, had commanded such beautiful artefacts. "Who was she?"
Zaou shook his head. "You will find out in time, young ones. It is not my place to say. For now, rest. Soon, you will go on your first missions."
"HAI SENSEI!!!!" The twins cried in unison, both bubbling up with joy at the thought of pleasing their teacher.
Zaou shook his head. He patted them on the head, smiling. He hoped they would always retain their sense of exuberance.